Antonov An-12 facts for kids

Aeroflot Antonov An-12

The Antonov An-12 (which is written as Антонов Ан-12 in Russian) is a large transport airplane. It was designed in the Soviet Union by a company called Antonov. This powerful aircraft has four engines that use propellers, making it a "turboprop" plane. It was mainly built to carry cargo and soldiers. The military alliance NATO gave it the reporting name Cub.

What is the Antonov An-12?

The Antonov An-12 is a type of aircraft known as a military transport plane. This means its main job is to move things and people. It can carry heavy loads over long distances. The An-12 was designed to be very strong and reliable. It could operate from different kinds of airfields, even those that were not perfectly smooth.

History and Design

The Antonov An-12 first flew in 1957. It was created by the Antonov Design Bureau. This was a famous aircraft design company in the Soviet Union. The An-12 was developed from an earlier passenger plane. This helped speed up its design process. Many An-12 planes were built over the years. It became a very important aircraft for the Soviet military.

Key Features

The An-12 has several important features:

• Four Turboprop Engines: It uses four powerful engines. These engines turn propellers to create thrust. Turboprop engines are good for carrying heavy loads. They are also efficient for medium-speed flights.
• High-Wing Design: The wings are placed high on the body of the plane. This design helps the plane carry large cargo. It also allows for easier loading and unloading.
• Rear Loading Ramp: The An-12 has a large door at the back. This door can open to become a ramp. This makes it easy to load big items. It also allows paratroopers to jump out quickly.
• Rugged Landing Gear: The landing gear is strong. This lets the plane land on rough runways. It can even land on unpaved airfields.

What was it used for?

The Antonov An-12 was used for many different tasks. Its main role was military transport.

• Carrying Cargo: It could transport a wide range of supplies. This included vehicles, equipment, and other heavy goods.
• Moving Troops: The plane was used to carry soldiers. It could quickly move them to different locations.
• Paratrooper Drops: The An-12 was often used for dropping paratroopers. These are soldiers who jump from planes with parachutes.
• Civilian Use: After its military service, many An-12s were used for civilian cargo flights. They continued to carry goods for different companies around the world.

Where is it used today?

Even though the Antonov An-12 is an older design, some are still flying today. They are mostly used by cargo airlines. These planes continue to transport goods in various parts of the world. Their strong design and ability to carry heavy loads make them useful even decades after they were first built.

Images for kids

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  Antonov An-12BP at China Aviation Museum, Beijing

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  P-7 airdrop platform for use with An-12 aircraft. Equipped with MKS-5-12P parachute system. Loaded weight 4000-4900 kg. First used at the October Storm exercises near Erfurt, GDR. Last dropped in Poland 1986.

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  47-year-old An-12 still operational, seen at Malmö Airport, Sweden

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  An An-12A of Vega Air makes a smokey takeoff from Kastrup Airport in 2004

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  Antonov An-12

See also

In Spanish: Antonov An-12 para niños